Moon Phases-4th

Front

What are the phases of the moon?

Back

The phases of the moon are the different shapes the moon appears to take as it orbits the Earth. They include New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent.

Front

What is a New Moon?

Back

A New Moon is the phase of the moon when it is not visible from Earth because the illuminated side is facing away from us.

Front

What is a Full Moon?

Back

A Full Moon is the phase of the moon when it is fully illuminated by the sun and appears as a complete circle.

Front

How long does it take for the moon to go through all its phases?

Back

It takes about one month (29 days) for the moon to complete one full cycle of phases.

Front

What is the term for the path the moon takes around the Earth?

Back

The path followed by the moon as it moves around the Earth is called its orbit.

Front

What causes the different moon phases?

Back

The different moon phases are caused by the moon being half illuminated by the sun. As it orbits the Earth, we see different amounts of that illumination.

Front

What is the First Quarter phase?

Back

The First Quarter phase is when half of the moon is illuminated and visible from Earth, appearing as a half-circle.

Front

What is the Third Quarter phase?

Back

The Third Quarter phase is when the opposite half of the moon is illuminated compared to the First Quarter, also appearing as a half-circle.

Front

What is a Waxing Crescent?

Back

A Waxing Crescent is the phase of the moon just after the New Moon, where a small sliver of the moon is illuminated and visible.

Front

What is a Waning Gibbous?

Back

A Waning Gibbous is the phase of the moon after a Full Moon, where more than half of the moon is still illuminated but decreasing.